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Editorial: Generous Land Donation Will Impact Future Generations

A land donation made this week to the city of Van Buren will provide a great wilderness area for residents to enjoy.

Rausch Coleman Homes donated 55 acres near the Forest Oaks subdivision north of Interstate 40, and the Van Buren City Council unanimously accepted the donation. The land will be named for two Barling residents, called the Mr. Chad and Betty Ann Colley Wilderness Park.

Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman said the generosity of Rausch Coleman Homes, founded by Barling native Ernest R. “Buddy” Coleman, overwhelmed him. Rausch Coleman requested that the land be named for “a great patriot and his wife,” the Colleys, a request Mayor Freeman called an honor.

“He would never have imagined all of the different ways his life continues to be commemorated,” Mr. Coleman said of Chad Colley. “He is proud of what happened here tonight.”

While deployed to Vietnam in 1968, Mr. Colley lost both of his legs in an explosion. His left arm later was amputated. He became a national advocate for veterans, serving as national commander of the Disabled American Veterans from 1984-85 and winning two Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. disabled ski team in 1992.

Mr. Colley said the park will provide a greater quality of life to the people of Van Buren.

“The fact that it’s named after me is just inconsequential when you consider the great possibilities,” Mr. Colley said at Monday’s meeting. “This gives Van Buren a real opportunity. It’s going to be so exciting to see what they can do with it.”

Additional greenspace and recreation areas are always a boost to communities. We are blessed with an abundance of natural recreation areas in Arkansas, and we are glad to see local developers continue to include parks and green areas in the neighborhoods of our communities. That generosity will impact future generations’ quality of life.